William Edwin Magee Sr., 98, of Imperial died Nov. 25, 2025, at his home. Dr. Magee became interested in being a doctor when he was 11. He was a 1950 Duke University Medical School graduate and followed with an internship at Washington University, Barnes Hospital. In July 1951, he joined the Medical Corps at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, S.C. In July 1953, he returned to Barnes/Washington University to complete residency, finishing as chief resident in medicine in June 1956. He completed a fellowship in internal medicine and went into private practice in St. Louis, creating the Internal Medicine Associates Ltd. group. He was an assistant professor of clinical medicine at Washington University School of Medicine, volunteered in the medicine clinic and in 1961 served as the part-time corporate medical director of Ralston Purina Co., becoming the corporate medical director in 1979. He was instrumental in making Ralston Purina the first smoke-free Fortune 100 company in America. He was awarded the Ageless Remarkable St. Louisan Award. He enjoyed spending time with residents and house staff trout fishing at his country property, Mistwood.
Dr. Magee preached the benefits of following the Mediterranean diet, wearing seat belts, using sunscreen and avoiding tobacco. He played piano and guitar and quoted poetry. He loved nature, hunting, fishing, camping, going on canoe trips and sailing. He served on the Missouri Conservation Commission and on the boards of Camp Wyman and the American Youth Foundation. He was a Christian and a Sunday School teacher. He attended St. Luke’s UCC in Imperial. Born Sept. 2, 1927, in Sumter, S.C., he was the son of the late Louise (Plowden) Magee and the Rev. A. C. Magee.
He is survived by his wife of 73 years: Lorraine Dorothy (Allgaier) Magee of Imperial, whom he married in January 1952. He also is survived by four children: Suzanne Magee of Hinesburg, Vt., William (Kathy) Magee Jr. of Imperial, Jennifer Cox of Arizona and Wendy (Reed) Sarver of Fort Collins, Colo.; 10 grandchildren: Trevor (Kristin) Huston of Overland Park, Kan., Melinda (Derek) Kueker of Oakville, Scott (Molly) Huston of St. Louis, Kristen (Joe) Deschene, M.D., of Whately, Mass., Bill (Erin) Magee III of St. Charles, Sarah (Josh) Weinstein of Burlington, Vt., Justin (Jessica) Cox of Louisville, Ky., Patrick Sarver of Somerville, Mass., Juliana Cox of California, Natalie (Anas) Alhardan, M.D., of Manhasset, N.Y.; and 14 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a sibling: Archibald Carter Magee; and a grandson: William Thomas “Tommy” Grant.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Heiligtag-Lang-Fendler Funeral Home in Arnold. A memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at the family home with a reception following. Memorials may be made to the St. Luke's United Church of Christ and to the WashU Department of Internal Medicine at internalmedicine.wustl.edu/giving. Arrangements are under the direction of Heiligtag-Lang-Fendler Funeral Home.